What Is DNS Filtering — and Why Does It Matter for Your Family’s Safety?
The Internet Has a Phonebook
Every time you visit a website, your device looks up the address in a system called the Domain Name System (DNS). It works like a phonebook: you type in a name (like google.com), and DNS translates it into a number (an IP address) that your device uses to connect.
This lookup happens for every website, every app, every connected device — usually in milliseconds, completely invisibly.
What DNS Filtering Does
DNS filtering means checking that address against a list of known harmful sites — and refusing to connect if the site is on the list.
When DNS filtering is active:
The harmful site never appears. No data is exchanged. The threat is stopped at the lookup stage.
How It Differs from Antivirus and Parental Control Apps
Antivirus Software
Antivirus runs on individual devices. It scans files and downloads for known malware signatures. It does not prevent your browser from connecting to a scam website — it only acts after content has already been downloaded to your device.
Parental Control Apps
Parental control apps must be installed on each device individually. They can be uninstalled by tech-savvy children, they often read private messages to monitor behaviour, and they do not protect devices like smart TVs, gaming consoles, or IoT devices.
DNS Filtering
DNS filtering works at the network level. It protects most devices connected to your home WiFi — phones, tablets, laptops, smart TVs, gaming consoles, and anything else. There is no software to install on individual devices. It cannot be uninstalled or circumvented by changing device settings.
What DNS Filtering Can and Cannot Do
What It Can Do
What It Cannot Do
Being clear about these limitations matters. DNS filtering is a strong layer of protection, but it is not the only layer your family needs. It works best alongside open communication and age-appropriate digital literacy.
How Manaia Implements DNS Filtering
DNS filtering is not a niche approach — the Australian Government uses it to protect its own networks. In FY2024–25, Australia’s Protective DNS service (AUPDNS) blocked 334 million malicious domains — a 307% increase from the previous year (ASD Annual Cyber Threat Report 2024–25). Manaia brings the same proven approach to your home.
Manaia’s DNS filtering is built on live threat intelligence — not a static blocklist that gets updated once a week.
All of this runs silently at the DNS level. Your family uses the internet normally. Harmful sites are blocked before they load. You get notified when it matters.
Try DNS filtering for your family
Network-level protection for devices on your home network.